Red & Green

Hello everyone,

Tonight's card is today's 365 Cards challenge; which was to use red and green.

I used atd Holiday Cheer for the background paper. The remaining paper is Recollections Christmas. The image is Stampin' Up Dasher which I embossed with Stampin' Up clear embossing powder. The sentiment is from Waltzing Mouse stamps. The ribbon is a Dollarama find.

This is a very simple card but I just love how it turned out.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Sweet Romance

Hello everyone,

I've taken advantage of Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch to create the third of three cards that I was commissioned to make for a colleague. He is proposing this Christmas and will use each of the cards below in his proposal. The holidays are a very special time for them and this proposal is to be a complete and utter surprise. He asked for three holiday cards that offered just a little extra-special sentiment. How romantic is that!

For this first card, I turned Karen's sketch sideways. The paper is from Fiskars and Recollections. The images are both Gina K Vintage Borders embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl. I found the placement of the images on Selma's card at Splitcoast. The sentiment is Stampabilities and it gives me the chills every time I use it. The ribbon is American Crafts.


This second card is one that I used for the Just Christmas and Birthday Cards blog design challenge. My colleague was very taken with this card and asked for cards with this feel. I figured if he liked it that much, I would just change the sentiment and he could have it. I used Stampin' Up Warm Words for the new sentiment, backing it with a couple of punched bits from my scrap bin.

This third card has more of the look and feel of what my colleague is expecting. I textured my card base with the Stampin' Up Sizzix Pattern 1 then highlighted with Pixie Dust Shimmerz. The cards combine my two current favourite techniques - alcohol ink and glamour dust - which I used on the three ornaments and a snowflake. I layered each ornament with Martha Stewart punched snowflakes. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Short and Sweet. The ribbon is white organza from Offray.

I really like all three cards. I tried to keep in mind Christmas romance and I think all three cards really convey that feeling without being three of exactly the same card.

I'm hoping my colleague loves them. Better yet, I'm hoping his girlfriend loves them. I'll be sure to keep you posted on her answer.

Enjoy the cards, and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Daring Snowflakes

Hello everyone,

I decided to try yesterday's Daring Cardmakers challenge which was, "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas". I love this kind of challenge.


The background paper is Stampin' Up Shimmery White which I textured with a Sizzix Snowflakes plate and highlighted with Waterfall Stickles. The snowflakes are Spellbinders Nestabilities, cut from a piece of Ranger Adirondack alcohol inked glossy paper also highlighted with Waterfall Stickles. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Warm Words. The ribbon is my last piece of recycled white organza.

I love this card. I've done similar ones in the past and the final results are wonderful.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

KISS

Hello everyone,

Tonight's card is another Pals Paper Arts challenge. They want us to KISS - Keep It Simple, Sweetie. I don't always find these clean and simple card (CAS) easy but I love the look. I figure if I just keep at it, I will eventually get more comfortable making these types of cards.

The card base is from Halcraft value pack that I get at Michaels. This is a staple for me as I make so many cards and these are very affordable card bases. I used Stampin' Up Snow Burst, Snow Swirled, Scandinavian Season and Serene Snowflakes, embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl for the background. The three ornaments are, no surprise, the Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink technique, cut with the Stampin' Up ornament punch. The ribbon is, a favourite, Offray Lovely Gold. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Warm Words.
I just love this card. I so admire clean and simple sketches and this card, to me, just cries simple, yet elegant. I will confess that the ornaments are part of a stash that I made a couple of weeks ago. I just couldn't stop once I started making them and now have a number of elements to use. I just love this technique and see so many possibilites. I feel I should also explain all the bows. I've finally reached a point where I can make bows with ease, so I'm kind of going overboard. This to shall pass, so if you could just bear with me.
I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.
Gisèle

Sort of Squiggly

Hello everyone,

Tonight's card is a mistaken take on this week's Squigglefly challenge which was to make a round card using non-traditional colours. Well, I didn't read carefully enough and only took in the part about the non-traditional colour. I'm submitting it regardless because it was a really fun challenge.

I used Canford silver paper for the background, layered with a piece of glossy paper smooched with the Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink technique that I love so much. The vertical silver lines are Dazzles outline stickers. The image is Inkadinkado Holiday Silhouettes, stamped in old Stampin' Up Marvelous Magenta and embossed with Close to my Heart Silver Pearl embossing powder. The image was cut out with Spellbinders Nestabilities. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Small Script. All the white paper was sponged with more Marvelous Magenta ink.
I fear this photo doesn't do the card justice. The fuschia is very bright and it is quite pretty contrasted against the silver. It is probably not the most unconvential of Christmas colours but is is not red or green either. I do have to say, the image is wonderful. I just love that entire set, it is absolutely striking.
By the way, I did my first one sheet wonder class at my good friend Carol Ann's last night. I met some really wonderful women and we had a blast making cards. What a great way to spend an evening. Thanks so much ladies!
I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.
Gisèle

Three Daring Gs

Hello everyone,

Tonight's card covers two challenges, Daring Cardmakers and 365 Cards, two blogs that I just love! These blogs are always fun and inspiring. The Daring Cardmakers asked that we use three things that begin with our first initial. I have used gold, green and glitter. The 365 Cards challenge was to use a knot, which I've done in red ribbon on the ornament.


The background paper is Canford Gold which I textured with Sizzix Stars and Swirls. The green paper is my favourite Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink technique on glossy paper that I textured with Sizzix Ornaments and highlighted with gold Stickles. The ornament is a Peel Off's Xmas Balls outline sticker that was Glamour Dusted. The sentiment is Stampin' Up All Holidays.

I'm really pleased with this three Gs card and just love the gold, green and glitter combination.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Glamour Wonderland

Hello everyone,

Tonight's card is another challenge from one of my favourite blogs, Winter Wonderland. The challenge was to create a Christmas without using either a Christmas stamp or Christmas paper.

The background paper is from Fiskars on which I used the Sizzix Snowflakes texture plate. I Stickled various parts of the snowflakes with Star Dust . The images are Peel-Off's Bulb Ornament outline stickers on which I used the glamour dust and water colour technique. The ribbon is Sheer Creations organza from Michaels the I attached to a strip of Black Ink Decorative paper.

I can't help but love this card. It sparkles and shines, yet is elegant and festive. The colours are not traditional but are still very appealing. What an awesome challenge.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Sweet Shaker

Hello everyone,

Tonight I have one of Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday sketches. This sketch just cried out for a shaker card that I found last week at Thimbles, Bobbins, Paper and Ink. I've done a shaker card before and it was lovely, but there was something about Jennifer's card that I couldn't resist.

The paper for this card comes from Stampin' Up, atd, the dollar store and DCWV. The image and the sentiment are both Penny Black Banner of Joy. I coloured the holly sprig with my Sakura 3-D Glaze pens. I used my Stampin' Up scallop border punch and Spellbinders Nestabilities. The ribbon is my favourites - one of the last bits of recycles 1 1/2" organza (I found a replacement roll at Michael's) and Offray Lovely Gold. I highlighted the berries on the holly paper with Xmas Red Stickles.

I just love, love, love this card and can't wait to experiment with more shaker cards.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

365 Wedding Card

Hello everyone,

I'm just full of cards today. I had a request for a wedding card and decided to use today's 365 Cards challenge to see what I could come up with. I like making wedding cards. Like Christmas cards, you can add just that little extra sparkle without worrying about going over the top.

The background paper is DCWV Pocket Full of Posies Stack. The white strips are all Stampin' Up Shimmery White paper which were textured with Sizzix Stampin' Up Flourish then painted with Shimmerz Pixie Dust. The sentiment is Stampabilities Changes Everything which was cut from a Spellbinders die. The ribbon, my favourite organza, Sheer Creations from Michaels.

I hope my friend thinks this card is "wedding" enough. I quite like the relative simplicity of this card. The challenge was just great!

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Happy Birthday Mom

Hello everyone,

This morning's card is for my Mom - I'm hoping she won't have a chance to look at I SPI until after she's opened her gift (lol). My Mom works really hard so I wanted to make her a card that was really frilly. Her favourite colour is red which is what inspired this card.

The printed paper is Stampin' Up Bella Rose. I also use Whisper White. The green paper is Bazzill Textures while the red paper is DCWV Matchmakers 2 Neutrals. The sentiments are Stampin' Up Yummy and Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday Greetings. The ribbon is Offray Lovely Gold. The brads are, I believe, from Multicrafts and were highlighted with Stickles Crystal Ice. I also Stickled the Bella Rose paper.

I really like this card, it is so very, very feminine. Please enjoy and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Silver Pearl

Hello everyone,

I couldn't resist Friday's Clean and Simple one layer challenge for tonight's card. I also couldn't resist using the new Inkadinkado Holiday Silhouettes stamp set that I just found at Michael's. I'm going to use this set a lot!

Although I didn't follow the sketch exactly, I did keep to the one layer aspect. The card base is my standard, Halcraft value pack from Michael's. The image my brand-spanking-new, and frankly irresistable, Inkadinkado Holiday Silhouettes. The sentiment is Penny Black's Banner of Joy. I used Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay In Colour which I heat embossed with Close to my Heart Silver Pearl.

I find this card very, very appealing. I couldn't resist Inkadinkado's Holiday Silhouettes when I saw it a Michael's and I bought it because I knew I'd get a ton of use of this set. I also have to mention Close to my Heart's Silver Pearl embossing powder. Every time I use it, I'm amazed! If ever you have a chance, try it! This card was so easy. I just love it!

I hope you enjoy this card as much as I do and I hope you come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Happy Birthday Papa

Hello everyone,

Both my parents celebrate birthdays next week so I thought I would make their cards using a couple of my favourite challenges. This is my Dad's card. He had a stroke a couple of years ago but still gets pleasure from watching the birds in their backyard. The challenge comes from the 365 Cards blog which was a recipe to use one piece of patterned paper, one embellishment and one sentiment. I fudged a bit by using the same sheet of paper both vertically and horizontally, which I don't think they had in mind, but I kind of like the result. I also got creative with punches to add even more interest but still kept it simple.



The paper is My Mind's Eye Wild Asparagus. The blue jay sticker is from Martha Stewart and the sentiment is Stampin' Up Birthday Whimsy in Tempting Turquoise.

I'm quite pleased with this card and I'm sure my Dad will get a kick out of it. I hope you also enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Happy Birthday Part 2

Hello again everyone,

If you caught my Happy Birthday post a couple of days ago, you'll note that I wasn't all that happy with this card and figured that I had fussed with it too much. Well, a friend decided to buy this card after I advised her that I could cover the "29" and now I think that maybe I didn't fuss with the card enough.

I simply added a couple of flowers that I created with my Stampin' Up punches and Sizzix dies. I painted a couple of the flower layers with the same Shimmerz that I used on the card front and added a couple of brads which were Stickled with the same platinum I used on the cake image. I re-created the sentiment and then repositioned the ribbon.

I'm much happier with this card now that it's been reworked. I think it just goes to show that you shouldn't give up on a card that you're not happy with right out of the craft box.

I hope you enjoy this rejuvenated card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Leopard Card

Hello everyone,

Okay, I just couldn't resist the title for this post. I came across this ribbon at Michaels a long time ago and I just had to buy it. I thought for certain I could make some cool cards with it. Well it was easier said then done - you can't use leopard print ribbon on just any old card. I took advantage of some more of the Ranger Adirondack Alcohol ink elements that I've been playing with and matched it with a new challenge that I found at Pals Paper Arts and viola!

I used Stampin' Up Basic Black, Whisper White and a Michaels leftover for the solid paper element. I used my favourite Stampin' Up set, Pocket Silhouettes for the images which are also highlighted with cinnamon Stickles. The sentiment is Gina K Tag Lines.

I love, love, love how this card turned out. Using the great sketch from Pals Paper Arts, this card just came together beautifully.

I hope you enjoy this card as well, and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Papertake Christmas

Hello everyone,

I decided to use this week's Papertake challenge for tonight's card. The Papertake blog always has something really interesting to inspire and get the creative juices flowing.



The background paper is atd Snow Day. I also used some Stampin' Up Old Olive and a dollar store paper find. The ornament is, once again, the Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink technique. I used an Inkadinkado Cool Christmas image, highlighted with Stickles Burgundy and Green. The ribbon is Michael's Ribbon Bowtique.

I like this card very much. I hope no one is getting tired of the ornaments as I just love the look of these elements and have quite a stash to use up. I was actually quite impressed that I had a stamp that coordinated so well with the atd paper.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Christmas Flourish

Hello everyone,

Tonights card is a Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge. I really love the Flourishes blog because there is always something inspiring to be found there.

The paper in this card comes from a number of places including Stampin' Up (Wild Wasabi), atd Holiday Cheer and the dollar store. I textured the Wild Wasabi with the Sizzix Holly and Berries plate. The ribbon is Michaels Ribbon Bowtique. I used the Ranger Adirondack alcohol ink technique on the ornament. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Snow Swirled.

I really love this card. It was easy to put all the elements together and I think the simplicity is very effective.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Mojo Masterpiece

Hello everyone,

Today's card is my first Mojo Monday challenge. It truly was a challenge as it had more layers than I've incorporated before. I was rather befuddled with it at first, but once I got methodical, it came together beautifully.


There are a number of different papers at work here including Stampin' Up Christmas Cocoa Specialty paper and Whisper White, atd Holiday Cheer, Bazzill Textures and DCWV Matchmakers textured neutrals. The image is DeNami Design Christmas Tree Script embossed with Close To My Heart Olive embossing powder. The ribbon is from Dollarama and the brads are from Multicrafts. The ornament is a combination of Martha Stewart peridot glitter, Ranger's Adirondack alcohol ink technique and gold Stickles punched with the Stampin' Up Ornament punch.
I am very pleased with this card. The ornaments came about as a happy accident as I was experimenting with alcohol inks over the weekend. Expect to see more of them because I've got a bit of a stash built up and I just love them!
I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.
Gisèle

Sweet Sunday Snow

Hello everyone,

Today's card is inspired by Jennifer McGuire at Two Peas in a Bucket who posted her alcohol inks tutorial videos on Friday. I just love the effect of the alcohol inks on glossy paper and as I've just discovered this technique, it was great to get Jennifer's tutorial. I thought I would use the technique to fulfill two challenges - Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch challenge and yesterday's 365 Cards Snow challenge.



The background paper is atd Snow Day. The next layer is from my scrap box and I couldn't figure out where it's from. It is textured with Sizzix Snowflakes. The circle is cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities. The snowflakes are also from Spellbinders and Maped. The image is Stampin' Up Dasher in StazOn jet black. The senitment is Inkadinkado Warm Holiday Wishes also stamped in StazOn jet black. The ribbon is Michael's Shimmering Crystals.

The circle, the snowflakes and the band under the ribbon are all smooched / pounched with Ranger alcohol inks - denim, cloudy blue, silver mixative and pearl mixative - on Stampin' Up glossy paper. The second layer was also smooched with the same applicator pad. For reference to this technique please go to Jennifer McGuire's video tutorial as she covers this technique quite comprehensively.

Next to holly, I think snowflakes are one of my favourite Christmas images. I love how this card turned out and see so many more possibilities. I hope you enjoy this card as well and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Design Challenge

Hello everyone,

I've decided to really put my card designs out there and try out for a position on a design team. One of my favourite blogs, Just Christmas and Birthday Cards, is looking for three designers and even though I've no formal design training, I'm going to submit a couple of cards. The design call asked for two photos of favourite cards. It was too hard to choose favourites as, unless I totally mess up, I love all of them, so I decided to design two cards from scratch and submit those. My preference is making Christmas cards not only because I love the season, but there is no such thing as too much when it comes to Christmas cards. Frankly though, birthday cards come a close second because you can be so very personal.

I think this just might be my most favourite Christmas card yet. It is so elegantly simple. The card base is from Halcraft. The image is Hero Arts Holly Flourish. I inked the flourish with VersaMark and used my Tombow markers to colour the holly before I stamped onto the card. The flourishes were then embossed with Close to my Heart Silver Pearl embossing powder. I used Shimmerz Evergreen and Burgundy to highlight the holly leaves and berries. The sentiment, on a piece of scrap, is Stampin' Up Short and Sweet, embossed with more Close to my Heart Silver Pearl and punched with the Modern Label punch. The ribbon is Offray Lovely Gold.

The paper for this birthday card is all Stampin' Up. I figure when making a favourite card, use a favourite paper and mine at the moment is Cottage Wall. I combined the Cottage Wall with some Whisper White, Old Olive and Orchid Opulence. The Old Olive was stamped with Stampin' Up's Cornelli Lace jumbo wheel in Old Olive ink. I used a Spellbinders Nestabilities Label to cut the two top elements. The ribbon strip is Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry in which the dots are highlighted with Star Dust Stickles. I also used the Star Dust Stickles to highlight some of the flowers in the Cottage Wall paper. The bow is Offray Lovely Gold. The brads are from either Michaels or Multicraft, I can't remember which but know it is one of those two. Finally, the sentiment is Stampin' Up Yummy in Rich Razzleberry.

I just love both of these cards. They contain elements that I find especially pleasing which when combined, just come together beautifully. Would that all cards worked so well. I don't know that I have enough experience to make the design team, but I sure enjoyed putting these cards together. Cross your fingers for that the Just Christmas and Birthday Cards design team likes them as much as I do.

I hope you also enjoy these two cards and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Happy Birthday

Hello everyone,

I started out really liking today's card but in the end, I wish I'd just left it alone. I think it's a case where I fussed with it too much and I should have stopped when I was ahead. I'm not all that happy with the numbers stamps I used but these are the only numbers I have - I have to start looking for a better option. This is a challenge card from Stampin' for the Weekend Challenge Blog which asked us to create a card for a landmark celebration. I chose to do a 29th Birthday because you can use this number over and over and over.

I used My Mind's Eye Wild Asparagus paper for the background. The image is Stampin' Up Birthday Whimsy in Rich Razzleberry on Whisper White. The corners of this element was punched with the Fiskars Lace corner punch. The sentiment is Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday Greetings. The number is from an old set of my daughter's and I've no idea of the brand. The ribbon is So-Facile which I believe was a Dollar Store find. I used Shimmerz Burgundy and Gold Glimmer to highlight QuickKutz Embossing Frame which is also sponged with Rich Razzleberry and Soft Suede. I also used a bit of Platinum Stickles to highlight the image.

Not the worst card I've ever made (those will never be published) but not the best either. Sometimes you should just leave well enough alone!

I hope you enjoy this card more than I do and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

A Challenge Fix

Hello everyone,

Well, the hand is on the mend but after getting my club cards done this afternoon, I really needed a clean and simple (CAS) this evening. I was also itching for a challenge and found the perfect one at the Willow Sketchie Challenge Blog

The paper in this card is all Stampin' Up, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy and Ski Slope Designer Series Paper. The image is Stampin' Up's Scandinavian Season. The sentiment is Penny Black's Banner of Joy. The ribbon is Textured Trios and the brads are from Multicrafts.

I love Christmas cards in non-traditional colours and all shades of blue are a favourite. I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

The Boys Card

Hello everyone,

If you saw my post yesterday I said I'd like to try a boys card along the same lines as the girls card. I think it works!

The background paper is DCWV All Occasion Scrapbook Kit in a Stack. I also used Stampin' Up Whisper White. The images are Stampin' Up Darling Dots in Ballet Blue, Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue. The ribbon is a dollar store find.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Stash Card Part II

Hello everyone,

I've got another stash card for you tonight. The fingers are doing better - the knuckles are lightly mauved but I'm hoping to be up and crafting within the next day or so. There are challenges I want to do! This is a favourite card; it is so very girly and fun. How can you resist something so cheerful.

The background paper is DCWV All Occasion Scrapbook Kit in a Stack. The ribbon is American Crafts. The images are Stampin' Up Darling Dots stamped in a variety of colors (I don't remember which but all would be Stampin' Up). The circles are set on a daubed piece of Stampin' Up Whisper White.

Now that I've revisited this card, I'm inclined to try a boys card as I bet it could be just as effective. We'll soon see. I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Stash Card

Hello everyone,

I'm going to be posting some of my older stash cards over the next couple of days. I accidentally caught my hand in the car door this morning and will be unable to craft for a bit due to swelling, bruises and pain. Thank goodness for the stash.

This is a card I made for my Stampin' Up demonstrator Debbie. It is all Stampin' Up. I used Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede and Whisper White paper. The ribbon and ink are also Rich Razzleberry. The image is Snow Swirled as is the sentiment. I used the eyelet, scallop, wide oval and scallop circle punches.

I really loved this card - the colour combination is one of my favourites. I hope you also enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Sweet Merry Christmas

Hello everyone,

I couldn't resist Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch this week and there is nothing I love more than Christmas Cards. I do need to practise colouring though, it took me three tries to get it right.

The background and green paper is atd Holiday Cheer. The image, Kaiser Clear Stamps Doodled Christmas, was stamped on Stampin' Up Whisper White in StazOn and coloured with Sanford Prismacolor pencil crayons. I used a Spellbinder Nestabilities label to cut out the image. The two brad are from Mulitcrafts.

I really like this card. Once I got the hang of the colouring, the card came together very quickly.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Elements From The Earlier Effort

Hello everyone,

If you read my earlier post from tonight you'll know that it took me three tries to meet the 365 Cards blog challenge. Well, I couldn't waste the pieces that didn't make it onto to the challenge card so I made a second card. I don't think it's too bad an effort given that it's almost midnight and I wasn't sure I had one card in me tonight, let alone two.
The paper for this card is Stampin' Up Dusty Durango and Close to Cocoa. The ribbon is also Stampin' Up Dusty Durango Polka Dot Grosgrain. I used the Cornelli Lace jumbo wheel embossed with cocoa Close To My Heart embossing powder on the large triangle. The small triangle and the rectangles were textured with Sizzix Stampin' Up Small Dots. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Labelicious.

I hope you enjoy the card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Simple Card Made Hard

Hello everyone,

I decided to do another challenge card tonight because my creativity was rather lagging after a fantastic Christmas card class with Debbie this afternoon. It was wonderful and the cards are beautiful - thanks Debbie! I decided to go back to the 365 Cards blog and see what they were doing today. At first glance I was thinking - easy - just what I need. Well folks, this is my third attempt and I'm still not very confident. I've never done a 'white space' card before and I've come to the conclusion that this is not my comfort zone.

The card base is a Halcraft Michael's value pack. The blue paper is from Fiskars. I used my new Stampin' Up Cornelli Lace jumbo wheel which I embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Labelicious stamped in Versafine Black and embossed with more of the lovely Silver Pearl.

The Cornelli Lace wheel appealed to me from the get-go and I'm not disappointed. I think this will make some incredible cards. I have to say I'm also enjoying the Close To My Heart Silver Pearl embossing powder. It is wonderful to use and I want to try it on everything because it has a different look each time depending upon the base ink, if any is used and the paper. Very cool.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Christmas Simplicity

Hello everyone,

Susan Riahala's Simplicity blog is something I look forward to regularly. I find her blog utterly inspiring and she's really funny to boot!

One of Susan's recent cards was particularly memorable as it kept me chuckling all day long mostly because I know it wasn't done on purpose. I'm not exactly sure what it says about me, but I couldn't resist casing her card. I apologize for the green tinge of the photo but I couldn't find a way to get a better photo.

I used Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay for the background and ink for this card. The snowflakes are Stampin' Up Serene Snowflakes and Snow Swirled, heat embossed with Stampendous Winter Wonderland. The sentiment is Kaiser Scrapbook Clear Stamps Doodled Christmas in Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay highlighted with Turquoise Stickles. My handy-dandy corner rounder punch was at the ready.

Please visit the Simplicity blog to get the ultimate gist of this post, enjoy my the card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Colour Challenge With a Cosmo Twist

Hello everyone,

Surprise! I found another irresistible challenge for tonight's card. It is from the 365 Cards blog which challenged us to use our two favourite colours. This is the second challenge that has involved favourites - I have so very, very many...

This season, more than any other, I absolutely fell in love with Stampin' Up's In Colours. From the moment I saw them, I knew I couldn't live without Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Crushed Currey, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry and Bermuda Bay. As I've only managed to acquire three of the six In Colours so far, I used eeney, meeney, miny, mo to decide which colour I'd use in this challenge.

The final choice was the Rich Razzleberry and white combination; but I like this card so much, I'm planning to make one with each In Colour. I used Sizzix Stampin' Up Pattern 1 to add texture to each rectangle which I further highlighted with Shimmerz Burgundy. Of course, I couldn't do a Rich Razzleberry card without using the coordinating ribbon. I used Spellbinders Pendants - Renaissance Hearts and Fleur de Lis in Stampin' Up Whisper White, highlighted by daubing with Rich Razzleberry ink and Shimmerz Burgundy, for the remaining elements.

I hope you enjoy this card as much as I do and I hope you come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

PS - This is all the more pleasurable when combined with a cosmopolitan cocktail. LOL!

Recipe Challenge

Hello everyone,

I have a pretty busy night ahead so I decided to do a quick and easy card tonight. I find when pressed for time, but not willing to forgo making a card, I head for a challenge. Tonight was no different and I found a great one at Lili of the Valley. It was a recipe challenge, something I'd not done before, which simply asked for a card with three different papers, two images and one type of embellishment.



The background paper for this card is atd Under the Tree. The remaining paper is Stampin Up Whisper White and Real Red which was cut out with a Spellbinders Nestability Label. I used the Sizzix Phrases, Wishes and Kisses texture plate on the Real Red label. The snowman, which I colored a couple of nights ago, is Stampin' Up Holiday Tag Team; while the sentiment is Inkadinkado Warm Holiday Wishes. The snowflake brads are from Mulitcrafts. I used a wide variety of Stickles on the image, sentiment and background.

I'm very pleased with this card and was amazed at how quickly it came together. I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Sweet Challenge Card

Hello everyone,

Just about every blog I searched today had this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch which I intended to pass on this week. So, instead of getting on the Wii, I crafted. It was a lovely sketch, thank you Karen.

The background paper is atd Snow Days. The remaining paper is Recollections Winter and Recollections Christmas. I used the Glamour Dust technique for the ornament which I learned from Heather's Stamping Haven. I just love how everything turns out with that technique. The sentiment is Inkadinkado Warm Holiday Wishes heat embossed with Close To My Heart Silver Pearl embossing powder.

I hope you enjoy this card and come back to SPI again soon.

Ho Ho Ho Ho

Hi everyone,

Just a quick post today. Hubby is on the late shift and I'm getting re-blonded tonight so I'm rather under the gun. I was testing out my new Adirondack markers with a bit of coloring last night so I thought I would use the images in a card today. I tried to find a challenge but not enough surfing time.

The background paper is atd Under the Tree. The rest is scrap Stampin' Up and Michaels. I picked up the snowflake brads at Multicrafts. The image is Holiday Tag Team which was cut using the Spellbinders Nestabilities. I used Stickles - Frosted Lace and Star Dust on the image. I textured with Sizzix Phrases, Wishes & Kisses.

For a quick and easy, I'm very pleased with this card. I hope you enjoy it as well and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Jingle Bells

Hello everyone,

I came across another challenge that I just couldn't resist. It is from the Winter Wonderland blog which has some excellent Christmas card ideas. This week's challenge was all about jingle bells.

I wasn't too certain about this card but decided to post it anyway. The background paper is from my scrap bucket and I know I bought it at Michaels but I don't remember the brand name. The bells were traced from my Christmas cookie cutter stash (LOL) in Stampin' Up Christmas Cocoa Specialty paper. The snowflakes are Little Yellow Bicycle Felt Snowflake Garland that I found at Multicrafts. The ribbon is Ribbon Bowtique from Michaels. I used gold brads to attach the bells to the card so they move. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Snowflake Spot on scrap Whisper White paper.

Overall it's not a bad card, but just not my favourite. I hope you enjoy it nonetheless and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle

Three Challenges - One Card

Hello everyone,

I was ambitious this morning and made one card to meet three challenges. It took me two tries but I think it worked reasonably well. The challenges were from Clean and Simple Stamping (rectangles), the Penny Black Saturday Challenge (white on white), and Daring Cardmakers (punch).

For my second attempt I used all Stampin' Up Shimmery White card stock. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Warm Words stamped in Real Red and punched with the Stampin' Up modern label punch. The punch is Stampin' Up Ornament punch. The image is Penny Black's Banner of Joy. The ribbon is recycled from a gift or flowers, I can't remember where. I used Xmas Red Stickles on the holly berries.

The was my first attempt which, when I finished, I realized that I hadn't used a Penny Black image. It is still a useable card however so I thought I would post it. The paper is Stampin' Up Shimmery White and Black Ink Decorative Papers. I textured the two rectangles with Sizzix Snowflakes. The ornament was punched with Stampin' Ups Ornament punch out of Scor-Tape paper and covered with Martha Stewart Florentine gold glitter. The flower is glamour dusted. The ribbon is Offray. The sentiment is Stampin' Up Delightful Decorations in Elegant Eggplant. While not a bad card, I like my second attempt better.

I hope you enjoy both cards and come back to SPI again soon.

Gisèle